Monday, August 13, 2012

I read this article today. A lot I agree with, some I don't. But I came away thinking...I don't know what causes perspective.

If anyone has earned their place at the top of the earnings percentile, it is my father and father-in-law. They both came from absolutely nothing and moved their famillies into the upper (or at least upper-middle) class. And they are both die hard republicans. They hate unions and disproportionate taxing. They are in their 60s and feel that the opportunities are there and people are just lazy. They have more of a right to say it than I or most do.

But not all that have that right take it. My grandfather equally earned his way. He rose from being the child of immigrants to be a successful FBI-agent, lawyer and eventually judge. However, he believed in protecting the vulnerable in society and was a strong agent for change during the civil rights era. When his county was moving republican, he refused to switch parties and became the last democrat elected as judge in Denton County.

The thing about ideology is, as the article suggests, it is almost impossible to make it impersonal. I think realizing it is personal is the beginning of respect for those with opposing ideologies. And that mutual respect is a requisite for finding common ground for real change.

Wednesday, May 23, 2012

I am a fan of theinterrobang.com, the website connected to The Ron and Fez Show. It is a community contribution driven site where contributors don't generally get credit for their contributions. I kinda like that - especially since the editor occasionally incorrectly edits my work. It certainly doesn't stop me from contributing. This is my most recent contribution as edited by the site administrators.